Envelope machine attachment



Nov. 16, 1943.

E. G. VALLIER ENVELOPE MACHINE ATTACHMENT Filed April 2, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. v A7, Z/alZLe/v,

Mvmmuw ATTORNEYQJ.

Nov. 16, 1943. E. e. VALLIER ENVELOPE MACHI NE ATTACHMENT Filed April 2, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 m, N m m J ATToRNEYa Nov. 16, 1943. E. G. VALLIER ENVELOPE MACHINE ATTACHMENT Filed April 2, 1942 Y 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 .50 /5 2/ 47 Q: ococoooooooooooooooo @Q "1" ml" 2: O V m A1 I W Q.||

INVENTORQ 21 V4220, BY mma rmoud ATTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 16, 1943 ENVELOPE MACHINE ATTACHMENT Elijah GfVallier, Wauwatosa, Wis.,, assignor to Western States Envelope Company, Milwaukee,

Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application April .2, 1942, Serial No. 437.377

' 8 Claims. (Cl. 93-61) This invention relates to improvements in envelope machine attachments, and more particu-- larly to an attachment for an'envelope folding and gumming rotary machine, which attachment prevents the curling and cracking of the gummed flaps of envelope blanks.

In the envelope manufacturing industry, envelope folding and gumming rotary'machines are in widespread use. Said machines operate on continuously supplied die cut flat envelope blanks. In one section of a rotary machine of the'type under consideration; a succession of envelope blanks, having had gum applied to the top flaps thereof, are propelled bythe lower extents of a conveyor along an apron overlying a heater, the latter being for the purpose of drying the gum on said flaps as the envelopepblanks are moved rapidly therealong. Beyondthe apron and heater the envelope blanks are propelled over an end rotary drum and along a top apron, Suitably positioned along the .top apron and adjacent the conveyor chains moving thereover, are feeding segments which engage individual envelope blanks and rapidly propel the same toward subsequent instrumentalitieswhich, complete each envelope from the blank by applying gumxto other flaps and by subsequently folding over certain of the blank flaps and causing the same to adhere, At the discharge end of the machine the completed envelopes are delivered in rapid succession for collection and packing.

It has been found that in rotary machines of the class under consideration, when the same are operating on blanks of certain types of stock of heavy paper or kraft, there is a tendency for the flaps which were initially gummed to curl and crack prior to reaching the feeding cams on the top side of themachine, with the result that those blanks having curled flaps (particularly at the ends) would be improperly engaged by the feeding cams and other instrumentalities, and hence the machine will ultimately discharge a series ofvdefective envelopes, occasioned by undesired folds, curls, or creasesin the pre-gummed flaps.

It should be observed that the tendency of the envelope blankgummed flaps to curl and crack is particularly pronounced and objectionable immediately after the machine has been stopped and then subsequently re-started. This results from the fact that during a stoppage of the machine a very substantial succession of blanks remain for an undue period on the lower apron over the heater, whereby this particular extent or succession of blankshas the gummed flaps overheated :and upon the re-starting of the machine, when the latter-extent of blanks reach the top side of the machine ahead of the feeding cams, the ends and edges of the gummedjflaps are in badly curled condition, so that the objections heretofore noted occur. It is, ofcourse, then necessary for the operatorof the machine to carefully note the envelopes dischargedat the outlet end of the machine for a substantial period of time to remove the defective envelopes resulting from the curled and cracked flaps,--- Obviously during production operations, stoppages of the machine are periodically necessaryfor adjustments, etc. or for the insertion of blanksof a new type or size, and the dischargingof a substantial batch of completed defective envelopes at theoutlet end of the machine requires additional attention by the operator, slows downproduction, and hampers the efllciency and output of the machine. a t

With the above in mind it is, therefore, a general object of the present invention to provide an attachment for an envelope folding and gumming machine adjustablymountable on the upper extent of the conveyor ahead or the feeding cams and adapted toen a li; the gummed flaps ofthe successive envelopeblanks for the purpose of flattening, smoothing, and de-curling the same so that they will be presented to the feeding. segments and other subsequent-instrumentalities in a flat condition, eliminatingimproperly curled and over-turned orrollededges on the gummed flaps so that all of the envelopes dischargedirom the machine .are. perfectly formed and folded, whereby the'efliciencyand output of the machine is greatly enhanced. V v t I '1 i -A further object of the invention is to provide aflap de-curling attachment for envelope'folding and gummingmachines which is automatic in its operation and with which any standard envelope folding and gumming rotary machine maybe readily equippedat a minimum of expense and with a minimum of modifications.

' A further object of the invention is to provide a flapde-curler attachment for envelopefolding andfgumming machines having adjustable and interchangeable elements to adapt it to envelope blanksof any desired size. W v

A further object of the inventionisto provide a flap de-curler attachment-for envelopeiolding and gurnming machines which easilyand quickly manipulatable from an operative to an inoperative position, the latter position permitting adjustments and interchangeability-of, parts.

A further-object of the inventionisto provide Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view,.withii parts broken away and in sectionjb'fthat portion of an envelope folding and gumming rotary ma- 7 chine with which the improvedattachment is associated; V p y Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view similarto. Fig.1. only showing the cradle-attachment whicha carries thea'improved envelope flap pressure :and breaker rolls 'swung to an inoperative position to permit adjustments or interchanging ofpartsp ff Fig. 3is a' fragmentaryplan viewof-the improved attachment andi'thatportion of an envelopefolding and gumr'ning machine with which it isassociate'd, parts b'eing broken away and in section;

. Fig-4 isa longitudinal:vertical sectional View taken lon line L4 or Fig. 3; a g

Fig..5 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken'on line -5 5 of Fig. 3; r

l Figs 6 =is a'n enlarged {transverse vertical s'ectional view-through the improved attachment including the cradle, the pressure and breaker rolls, the. upper apron= or table, and the associated parts I of an envelope f folding and gumming machine;

" -Fig; 7 is-a fragmentary detail View taken on line 1l1 of FigL 3- andon a larger scale;

Figj 8 is: a' fragmentary detail viewsimilar to Fig. 7 only showingthepa'rts in a differen position' of-adjustment} i ZFig? 9 -is a fragmentary detail sectional view taken i on' 'line 9"--9 -of-Fig." 3' only with releasable parts in a l diflerent position of adjustment; and on'a lar'gerscale;- and Fig. '10-is '--a" fragmentary schematic view 'of that'porti'on ofan envelope folding and 'gumming rotarymachine with-which the present attachment is' associated,- and on a reduced scale.

- Referring now-moreparticularly to the drawings, it "will appear that an envelope folding'and same, whereby perfect completed envelopes may .wbe discharged from the machine.

gumming rotary machine is designated generally by the numeral 12; --As sho'wn'schematically in Fig. 10 the -machine includes a 'lower apron or table l3-alongwh-ich flat envelope blanksjjM (se'e Figs.- 1, 2 and -'6)--are-conveyed by "endlessyconveyor chains 15. Theblanks' have the topilaps 16 thereof gummed and-are arranged in" an overlapping'succession with the" gummed areas down 'wardly facing on the lower apron or table 13. Saidapron' isdisposed over an elongated heater l1. Beyond the-heater thesuccession of blanks iscarriedaroundaguide' drum l8 and are then propelled by the ccnveyor'chains along anupper apron l9, Positioned'along the upper apron are instrumentalitiesforpe'rforming additional operations on the envelope-blanks, including revoluble feeding members- 2o.- The'improved attachment,

;chine is-formed with upstanding end brackets 23.

Lower portions of said end brackets have rigidly secured ther'etothe reduced end portions of a transverse lower cradle 24. On an upper intermediate portion of the cradle, in spaced, longitudinal 'alinement, i are a a pair of revolubly mounted :idler rollers '25=on which is revolubly seated an' e'longated 'transverse'breaker roll 26 haVing its reduced end portions journalled in bea'ringclugs Tron-opposite end po rtions of the lower cradle 24.

The upperends o-fthe brackets 23 have inte ralslotted:plates 28 '(see 7 Figs. 7 and 8). Within the slotof each plate is a vertically movable bearing block 29 in which is secured the end portion of an upper cradle shaft- 30. An integral top' bar 3l of-=a p1ate 28 has slidably extended therethrougha vertical rod 32 whose lower end is anchoredto the-block 29 and whose free upper end carries a'flange 33 engaged by a cam 34 on theinnerendofa turnably mounted horizontal stud '35. Theouterend of the stud carries a manipulating handle 36.'- A coiled spring 31 is positioned on a' portion of the rod 32, confined between the-top of the block 29 and the bar'3l, and-3normally-exerts pressure on the block to maintainit in a' lowered p'ositicn in the slot of 'the'plate 28. Pivotally-mounted on the upper cradle shaft 33 is an upper cradle 38 in'the' form of an elon gatd-boxlikeenclosure having an open bottom, and closed side, endand top Walls. The shaft 30 extends-freely throughopenings in the end walls-of 'said eradle so'that'said cradle may be turnedor rocked on the shaft 38. Adjacent the outer face of-each endwal] of the cradle is anadjustableplate39 Whose upper edge is engaged" bya turnable locking plate 40 which normally'ov-erlies an adjacent top portion of the cradlefihridis secured-thereto by a removable bolt 4|." When the'cradle 38 is in its normal, operative-position, as in Fig. 4, spring urged movable legsll depending from the bottom edges of the end plates 3s-are retracted under tension and yieldingly seat-on-horizontal flanges 43 on the lower cradlelugs' 21,

Withinthe uppercradle 38 are a pair of adjustably spaced journal frames' 44. Each has an upper flange underlying a slot 45 in the top wall of the cradle 38 and being adjustably held in a desired-position" by: a'headed clamping bolt 46 extending through the slot" 45. The headof the clamping-bolts may. be brought into impingefor'ming the principal --subject fmatter of the present invention; is-mou'nted'adjacent'the upper apron "l 9; in advance crane feedingmembers -2 0,

ment with the stock adjacent theslotsdS. The shaft "30-passesfreelythrough openings in the ends of the-frames *so that when the bolts 46 are loosened the frames may beadjusted longitudin'ally Orr-the shaft 30.. Longitudinal adjustme'nts of the journal frames fi l are made when it'sis desired to rcmoveor replace a pair a of preshaving i'i'nproper' foldsj creases or wrinkles in sure rolls 4?. 'Eachpre'ssureroll' 41 has reduced end" shaft portions which are journalled in open-' ings therefor in lower portions of the frames'44. The length of the pressure rolls 41 utilized is dependent upon the length of thefiap portions [6 of the envelope blanks being operated on by the machine; If it is desired to substitute longer or shorter pressure rolls for'those in the at.

tachment, this" change may be readily made, as will appear hereinafter. It should further be observed that a portion of the shaft 30 is formed with a longitudinal key 48, adapted to engage in a key-way 49 in a gear SDlongitudinally adjustably carried by an intermediate portion'of the shaft 30'. The shaft end portion s'of the interchangeable pressure rolls 4'! have fast there'- on gears 5l ;which are adapted to mesh with'and.

to be'driven-by the gear 50 on the shaft 30 when said gear is 'in a proper position of longitudinal.

adjustment-on said shaft.

Portions of the journal frames 44 have front and angled integral guide lugs 52 which longitudinally'adjustably engage front wall portions ofthe upper cradle 38. Depending from these lugs are angular guide and flap flattening fingers 53 which project spacedly over the upper apron 19 in advance of the rolls 26 and 4'! and serve;

to flatten the envelope blanks (particularly the end flap portions thereof) and to guide the same toward the rolls. As the fingers 53 are'carried by the frames 44, they are adjustable therewith so asto be suitably spaced according to the lengths of the envelope blanks being operated on.

The conveyor chains l5 are continuously drivon from a source of powerinot shown) by means common in the type of machine under considerationj Likewise, from a convenient source of power extends a driving chain 54 engaging an idler sprocket 55and extending about another sprocket 56. The latter sprocket, as well as a companion sprocket '51, is pinned tofa common sleeve 58 revoluble on a reduced portion of the lower cradle'end. -An endless chain 59 drivingly connects sprocket 5! with another, sprocket 60 fast on an 'end portion of the cradle shaft 30. The chain 59, however, additionally engages an idler sprocket 6| on the free end portion of a swing'able arm 62 which functionsto permit and to take up'slack in the'chain 59, slack in said chain being riccessary when the cradle 38 is swung from'- the operative position of Fig. '1 to the inoperative position of Fig. 2, for replacements or adjustments. Normally an anchored spring 63 holds the arm 62 in a substantially upright position such as to keep the chain SS. taut, butsaid;arm may be swungto the right (relative'toFig. 5) ,fexpan'ding said spring, when adjustments are made. I v

During normal operation of the improved envelope folding and gumming machin a plurality of flat die out envelope blanks, having had gum applied to the top flap forming portions thereof, are propelled along the lower apron l3 and subsequently along the top apron l9, toward the:

instrumentalities which perform subsequent gumniing and'folding operations to the blanks to complete the same as envelopes. The blanks thus advanced are in an overlapping succession.

It frequently occurs, when themachine is op r-' ating on blanks of heavy stock, that the gummed flaps thereof will curl and crinkle before the blanks "are delivered tothe instrumentalities along the upper apron l9 which perform 5 the' additional operations. Obviously, this is objec tionableas it will'result in defective envelopes rollf26-the handles 36'n'1'ay be turned so as' to' certain ofthe flap-portions thereof. Due to' the' fact that "the conveyed succession of envelope blanks passes over-a heater 41 below the lowerapronf=l3,'; if the machine .isstopped for any reason; a certain length fofthe envelope blanks in' the neighborhoodfof the heater will have the gur'nnied ilap portions thereof become unduly heatedand this increases the curling tendency? thereon- The improved attachment 2| disposed I along the upperapron l 9 'in-advance ofthe instru: mentalities for performing the subsequent oper;

atioh's' eliminates the curls which might have of the delivered envelope blanks.

been formedin the gummed flap portionsofany I The manner in which the overlapping envelope blanks with' the gumme'd flap portions'are deliv on 'the driven 'shaft 30', as previously explained,

and the breakerrollZB is driven through being I in frictional contact with thefpressure falls 41". 1

lt'will be "observedfrom Fig; 76 that the breaker roll 2'6 projects-somewhat above the level of the top ap'ron I9fand hence the {blanks are drawn and bent over the-"projecting portion of said breaker- "roll while passing" through the attach ment "and the direction of bending is'oppo'site to that-of the curling tendency of the blank flaps I6 3 The pressure rolls, moreover, also engage the" blanks andf the surfacesof said pressure rollsare; formed with fine corrugations which aid-'ineliminating curling and stiffness from the gumme'df' flaps. As each blank passes through the comp n on-wens of 1 the attachment 2| it is engaged by the rapidly? turning propelling cams 20 and moved to another iristrumentality in the machih'e.- Upon leavingthe" attachment 2| the blanks are in a desired flat ironed condition and the gummed def-curled; a

Whe'ndtis desired to release the pressure rolls 41 "from their rolling contact with the J breaker engage-[the high sides of the cam 34 with the rod flanges 33; thereby lifting the rods 32 and bearing blocks 29 mm the position of 7 to the position of Fig. 8. This adjustment will elevate the axis of thecradle shaft -30, therebyraising the cradle-38 and all of' the parts carried thereby, including the' pressure rolls 41. The

adjustment just described may be made'at' any timetofree an envelope blank'from between therolls 4! and 26' and it should also be made prior to another manipulation which is necessary to permit'a rocking of the'entire cradle 38 and the partscarried thereby from the operative position of Fig. 1 to the inoperative position of Fig. 2. Y

From a description of the'parts previously given it Was observed that normally the yielding legs 42 on the lower ends of the cradle plates 3 9 rest on the lower. cradle end flanges 43. After the adjustment to permit slight'elevation of the cradle-t8 has been made, the'legs 42 will be slightly raised from the lower apron portions 43 but would nevertheless interfere with and precludea. rocking" of "the upper cradle 38 on the flap portions have been-effectively ha t 9-. re-o ercome this..t e.-t rn:bo1ts:l.l re' el ased so as o permit; e;;. oo s.ins late 40 to be sw n ronin he r ull in ne itiqnsoiiaB to. t e d ed line p s i ns th same gur d en ag n e p e es of t em t; 5- plates 3 Th nr aid n zplat s 9 may e. hii ed; pw r ly vert cal yrwi h n ar edo s.i pe sit hs uch, mo ements v.lhe en plat s 331cm; so. iorm d .wi h -nar w uide slots 65 land-pd: 1 i stab screws; 56 e. ac mmo ated here n, the la ter mi e in mutw rdl r a he nds of the :cr -dle: Hav eleased t e d plates 9:the same ayb -shifted upwardl .tQth poshon; sh wn. nFiaBl whereupon the ntire upper cradle 38 may be rocked onthe shaft-3B from; 1.5

e p s ti n F el- 1 gto, th p sit onl of Fi 2- urin othisimovem nttthe sw n n q rm .62. ,..and r h tab e ack; takerup s rocket- V 6 pe mit; the slight ire-location thel haln .59 and-sp o ket 6 hemcve ent of th v pper rad e 38: rom1the. pos i n of: F 1 to t e o ition of Fi -2h necessarr order to exp set e tt m fa e of the; adl andthe pr s ure rolls 1 disposed there n.

- fa changeiis adesinsthes ze; of th /blanks being un: inizthe mach ne it ,lsecomes id sirahle o chan e the pressure l o lsJl o as to.- in s .r.t. in. v hefi ad e v on er oral-shorter. pr ssure ol s, de nding-on the len h: of the fiaps; of'the eaves. nel n s e nsi unvv sprev ouslyde cri ed; th ourna r rames 1:4 may. e-slid on; the shaft M0- pe mit is n em ht t red ced en s. t e.' r ssur o ls and. the removal he 0f.-: Up nbt e. nsertion of. subst tute. pressh e'r l s f the desired. l h; t e Journal f am s .94 are djusted sothat. t e nds he p essu crol smay e op r1v..ensased.;. Also, theidr vin ears m e shaf 30maybe.mov ilong tudinal y oal t wi h t e ears 5 i f st on; e pres re ollsbv ous y e adjus me t of e. frames is i acco dan e w h the l n t .o th u stisute l pressure v r01 s.,.4l:. 1 s. t jou nal am ca ry he ui eflng rs 53 ai fineersr il v, dis osed prope y a h end porti ns ef-therohs; r ard e s of the len 'thlo the o s. u lized-1... rom t e oreaoinside r pt en. t. w l .be., e that the. mproved tta mentimayan lieda 1:0 a standard enve m: o1.din nd summing machine, with. a minimum: o mod fications-and additions. It functions efliciently and autornati v callyio ove Qme and-eliminate-e l ahd-cr k e summe e y lq e f a s- The t a hm nt Pr vides r ustmen s n i te chan eab pa o a p i to bla ks oi-va io s. ize -r lishes invention is ur e more o a m le n iheve onstr c ion andisw ll a ap ed o sthep rrases set forth; o

-Whatnisr cla m d as he. inrehtioais fi o 1. In an envelope mac n .i el d as-a ppmn anda conveyor for-mov a sue siohpie 7. e pe. ank o g; he-a o peration vl lerr; forming mecha isms the ehe nea t ansve se slot in s id, apron n ad aneee saidmeQ an smsL-a bre r011 r v l h y mount d elow the m n r nsvers y ther o andp oi et nsinm aid slot:

c er q ns y ountetlacros t e a ron eve or the breaker roll and; ablank v de cu rling roller vo y an em vabl m u ed insai cradl r lsher hssits per oh rapo ma l 'i cont c w h eb e se r mand-1 t a of bl nk? mov d. by saidlco-nveyor to engage and roll the same 2; I11 an, envelope machine. including an apron lll i W E o m in a l i en-'. e p oblanks ahea her rmm cerati n er-v rm m a i ms 1? '9 i l -i I i n i p l fids c o s .the1 ronan adv n goisaid fe hr 75 assessor manually operated means carried by the cradle for latching it against rocking, and a blank de curlingroller revolubly and removably mountedvin said cradle in the path of blanks moved by said conveyor to engage and roll, the

same. 7 p v e 3. In an. envelope machine includingan apron and a conveyor for moving a succession of en-,

velcpe blanks along theapron to operation performing mechanisms, therebeing a transverse slot in said apron in advance of said mechanisms, abreaker roll revolubly mounted below the apron transversely thereof and partially projecting by the blanks are fed between the rolls and flattened thereby.

4. In an envelope machine including an apron and a'cc-nveyor for moving a succession of envelope blanks along the apron to operation per- {farming mechanisms, therebeing a. transverse slot in said apron in advance of said mechanisms, an elongated breaker roll revolubly m ounted below the apron transversely thereof and partially projecting through said apron slot, a hollow cradle adjus'tably mounted above said apron over the slot separated andlongitudinally adjustable journal frames within the cradl and -a revoluble pressure roll within the cradle and having its end portions removably engaged in said adjustable journal frames, the periphery of the pressur roll normally being in contact withthe projecting portion of said breaker roll with-said contacting roll portions in the path of blanks moved. alongthe apron to iron and flatten the same. 4 Q} 5. In an envelopevm'achine including an apron anda conveyor for moving a succession of, en-s velope blanks along the apron to operation per forming mechanisms, there being .atransverse slot insaidv apron in advance of said mechanisms,

an- -elongated breaker roll revolubly mounted below the apron transversely thereof and partially projecting through said apron slot, a hollow cradle adjustahlyniounted above said apron over the slot,separated and longitudinallyadjustable journal frames within thescradle, and a pair of simi .lar revoluble pressure rolls within the cradle and having their axes in the samehorizontal plane with their end portions removably engagedin said adjustable journal frames, the projecting periph eral portion ofesaid breaker roll being rolling: contact with peripheral portions of both pressure rolls andin'the path of blanks movedalong the apron and between the contacting rolls. to iron and flatten the blanks.

6. In an envelope machine including an apron and a conveyor for moving asuccession of en velope blanks along the apron to operation performing mechanisms, there being a slot in said apron in advance, of saidmechanisms', an elongated breaker roll revolubly mounted below the apron transversely thereof and partially projecting through said apron slot, a hollow cradle vertically shiftably and srockingly mounted across eaapre c ver;"saidv s ot; p ra dw do longinann a iustablerg-ioumal a s vWi t cradle, 1r ranually ;operated latch means engaging the cradle to hold it against undesired vertical and-rookingmovements, and a revoluble pressure mlLW ia h C d e nd a nsi end Port s enterbly en a es. i sa d-ad usta iqu aa'l;

frames, the periphery of the pressure roll normally being in contact with the projecting portion of said breaker roll with said contacting roll portions in the path of blanks moved along the apron to iron and flatten the same. 7

7. In an envelope machine including an apron and a conveyor for moving a succession of envelope blanks along the apron to operation performing mechanisms, there being a transverse slot in said apron in advance of said mechanisms, an elongated breaker roll revolubly mounted below the apron transversely thereof and partially projecting through said apron slot, a hollow cradle vertically adjustably and rockingly mounted across the apron over said slot, separated and longitudinally adjustable journal frames within the cradle, manually operated latch means engaging the cradle for holding it against undesired vertical and rocking movements, a pair of relatively short revoluble pressure rolls Within the cradle and having their axes in the same horizontal plane with the roll end portions removably engaged in said adjustable journal frames, the projecting portion of the breaker roll normally being in rolling contact with peripheral portions of both of said pressure rolls with contacting portions of the rolls in the path of blanks moved along the apron and between the rolls to iron and flatten the blanks, angled guide fingers carried by said adjustable journal frames and projecting forwardly of the cradle spacedly over the apron, and means for revolving the pressure rolls.

8. In an envelope machine including an apron V 20 same. 

